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Aching back.

thewalkindudethewalkindude
edited March 2011 in Meditation
Whenever i try and meditate i sit cross legged and sit up straight. About 5 minutes into meditation my upper back starts to ache and steadily grows worse. I also feel this way at work while I'm sitting at my desk. Should i continue to sit this way and hope that my upper back muscles grow stronger or is this something else?

Comments

  • CloudCloud Veteran
    There's no requirement to sit a certain way. If no one comes up with a way for you to fix it so that it doesn't hurt, I'd say abandon that posture and find another one.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    i used to meditate laying down. whatever works for you. just make sure you don't fall asleep. but hey that's a gift as well. some people have sleep problems.

    or you can just watch your pain. lol
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    You could meditate for 5 minutes and then lay down or some other posture that doesn't hurt.
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    A comfortable chair is entirely acceptable as long as you don't fall asleep. At work too. Are you unconsciously "hunching" that part of your back at work and while doing meditation, though?
  • DisneyDisney
    Is a very great posture for your meditation. Your upper body ought to relax and comfortable.
  • cranreuchcranreuch
    Whenever i try and meditate i sit cross legged and sit up straight. About 5 minutes into meditation my upper back starts to ache and steadily grows worse. I also feel this way at work while I'm sitting at my desk. Should i continue to sit this way and hope that my upper back muscles grow stronger or is this something else?
    I have a bad *lower* back and I've been gradually working on posture to help me meditate longer in a crosslegged position (Burmese only for now). Every day I try a minute longer crosslegged, then finish off in a chair.

    But the fact you're sore even when sitting at work suggests a postural issue that needs fixing. What do you do at work -- computer operations?

  • cranreuchcranreuch
    My prior reply was confusing. I tried to edit but it wouldn't let me. Here's what I was really trying to say:
    Whenever i try and meditate i sit cross legged and sit up straight. About 5 minutes into meditation my upper back starts to ache and steadily grows worse. I also feel this way at work while I'm sitting at my desk. Should i continue to sit this way and hope that my upper back muscles grow stronger or is this something else?
    I get pain in my *lower* back, but it's busted up with disc problems. So with doc's approval, I know I can just push through the pain. So I split my meditation into a crosslegged (Burmese) part, followed by a sitting-in-a-regular-chair part. I'm gradually trying to increase the total time, and to increase the time I spend on the cushion versus the chair. At the moment it's about 15 minutes in each, with 1 minute of kinhin between, to help get rid of pins and needles (I start with the crosslegged session).

    But in your case, the fact that it's *upper* back and that you're sore even when sitting at work suggests a possible postural issue that you should attend to -- i.e. don't just push through that pain. What do you do at work -- computer operations?
  • deepakdeepak
    I had the same problems until I started using this seat which I made myself.You may increase the height to suit your comfort.
  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    I gotta run. Lemme say this quickly: STRETCHING! Go find the four or five lower back stretching exercises. Seriously. Not that you have chronic back pain - but if people did this kind of stretching routinely the cases of chronic back pain would drop enormously! Back muscles are the most delicate and easiest to mess up. Wishing you well.
  • still_learningstill_learning Veteran
    Do some crunches. I used to have sciatica, but all gone now just because I do 30 crunches every other day. Small price to pay to be pain free. Having stronger ab and lower back muscles will help support your back.
  • deepakdeepak
    http://www.nadachair.com/.Just another option
  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    Do some crunches. I used to have sciatica, but all gone now just because I do 30 crunches every other day. Small price to pay to be pain free. Having stronger ab and lower back muscles will help support your back.
    With all due respect and kindness, still-learning. It does depend on your age. If you do crunches when you're older and a little out of shape you can REALLY mess up your back. Not to reiterate and be annoying but: stretching does a world of good. Stiff back muscles means they are injured and swollen, stretching them improves circulation and promotes healing. I learned the hard way: the back muscles are tricky little sukkers. FWIW. Crunching? DEFINITELY is a good thing, my bet is if you can do crunches without hurting your back that means your back is in good shape. Please note: it can take a week to realize you've been hurting your back, then? It comes at you like a pitbull. Younger is definitely better back maintenance-wise.
  • still_learningstill_learning Veteran
    No biggie. I'm just throwing another option out there.

    I've actually tried some yoga stretches before and those did help my back. Later I found out that crunches gave me faster results.

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